Track-sander for locomotives.



R. KE'I'T.

TRACK SANDER PoR LoeoMoTIvBs.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 28, 1913.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

2 SHEETSA-SHBET 1.

R. KETT. TRAGK'SANDER PoR LOGOMOTIVBS.

APPLICATION FILED 11011.28, 19134 Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

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RICHARD KETT, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 ADOLPI-I H. FLUCKEN, 0F DENVER, COLORADO.

TRACK-SANDER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

Application filed November 28, 1913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD KETT, a'

citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track-Sanders for Locomotives; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in track Sanders for locomotives or devices adapted to be mounted on locomotives for distributing sand upon the track to prevent the slipping of the wheels, where conditions are unfavorable. It has now come to be the quite common practice to apply sand to the track in front of the engine wheels in starting trains under all conditions, as it prevents the possibility of the slipping of the wheels which is very injurious.

My present improvement is applied to that class of Sanders which operate on the vacuum principle, or in which the sand is initially drawn from a receptacle into which it passes after leaving the sand box or reservoir, by jets of air issuing from nozzles in the vicinity of the receptacle, and after its initial removal, is propelled or driven through conduits leading to the track by the force of the air.

In constructions of this character, it very frequently happens that moisture accumulates in the discharge extremities of these conduits and freezes, thus stopping them up and preventing the exit of the sand. It will be understood that during the greater part of the time, a device of this character is inactive, hence, there is great liability that under ordinary circumstances, during the winter season, and particularly during storms or when there is snow on the track, that the discharge ends of these conduits will become stopped by a frozen filling, not only rendering the device inoperative, but causing much trouble and delay before the obstructions can be removed.

The object of my present invention, is to Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Serial No. 803,416.

overcome this difliculty, and to this end I make provision for introducing a small amount of steam into the 'sand receptacle, during the time that the apparatus is not employed for sanding purposes. Preparatory to shutting olf the air for the prevention of the delivery of sand to the track, this jet of steam is placed in communication with a chamber in which is located a piston, connected with a valve, the steam acting on the piston to close the valve and cut off the passage of sand from the supply source or sand box, to the receptacle. In this event, the sand will soon be practically removed from the receptacle, and the steam will have vfree access thereto through a port which is uncovered in the piston chamber by the movement of the piston, incident to the closing of the valve. This steam, though comparatively small in volume, will pass through the conduits and prevent any accumulation at their discharge extremities, due to the causes heretofore explained, as the steam will be suiiicient in quantity, not only to prevent freezing, due to moisture accumulations, but will also by virtue of its continuous exit through the discharge extremities of the conduits, prevent the entrance of obstructions of any kind.

I-Iaving briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Fig. l. is a side elevation of a locomotive equipped with my improved sander. Fig. 2 is a section of the sand receptacle showing the vacuum producing means, and also the means for introducing steam to the conduits through which,.when the`sander is in use, the sand passes, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig.

3, is a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing.

the position of the parts causing the cessation of the sanding operation. In other words, .in this view, the parts are shown in the position, when the sand is cut o and the steam introduced. The parts are shown on the same scale as in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 3.

The same reference characters, indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a receptacle which is mounted on the locomotive, and receives sand through a pipe 6 from a sand box or source of supply 7. This receptacle consists of a chamber having an interiorly threaded collar 8 at the top, into which the pipe 6 is threaded. Normally, the pipe 6 is open to allow the sand from the box 7 to enter the receptacle 5. The collar 8 is at the top of the receptacle 5, and the sand box is located above the receptacle, whereby there will be a tendency for the sand to pass from the box by gravity into the receptacle. The opposite sides of the receptacle 5 are also equipped with interiorlythreaded collars 9 into which are screwed the inlet extremities of conduits 10 through which the sand passes to the track rails 12. As illustrated in the drawing (see Fig. 1) there are two of these conduits on the same side of the car, and it must be understood that the apparatus is double and that there is a sand receptacle and other necessary attachments on each side of the locomotive. One of the conduits 10 on each side is adjusted to deliver sand in front of the foremost wheels 13, while the other conduit, on each side of the car, is arranged to deliver sand in the rear of a rear wheel 14, as when the locomotive is backing up.

The receptacle 5 is equipped with an interiorly .projecting member 15, which as illustrated in the drawing, is formed integral with the receptacle, and extends upwardly from the bottom thereof. This member is provided withducts 16 which are in communication with pipes 4 through which air passes from the air pumping apparatus employed in connection with the air brake system or from any other suitable source of compressed air carried by the train. The ducts 16 are in communication with nozzles 17 which are threaded into the member 1.5 from opposite sides, threaded openings 18 being formed for the purpose, the said openings intersecting the ducts 16 at their upper extremities. These nozzles have longitudinal passages 19 through which air from the ducts 16 passes into the conduits 10, the nozzles passing through relatively large openings 20 formed in the opposite sides of the receptacle, whereby as air is passing through the said nozzle, the sand is drawn into the conduits 10 and forced through the latter, and delivered to the track rails 12 on which the locomotive stands.

Vithin the central part of the member 15 is formed a chamber 21 which is preferably cylindrical in shape and vertically disposed. Within this chamber is a piston 22 which is normally held at the lower extremity of the chamber by a spiral spring 23 which surrounds a piston stem 24 within the chamber, one extremity of the spring bearing against the piston, and the other against a plug 25, threaded into an opening 26 formed in the top of the member 15. This plug is perforated as shown at 27 to permit the piston stem to pass therethrough, and slide therein. The upper extremity of this stem is equipped with a valve piece 28 adapted to close the lower extremity of the pipe 6 when the valve is in the closed position.

The bottom, or lower extremity of the chamber 21 is in communication with the steam supply source, through the medium of a duct 29 formed in the rear wall of the receptacle 5 and communicating with a pipe 30 which is threaded into an opening 31, formed in the wall of the receptacle, which is reinforced as shown at 32 for the purpose. The chamber 21 is in communication with the sand receptacle 5 through a perforation 33 which is located above the piston when the latter is in its normal position, or that illustrated in Fig. 2. lVhen, however, is desired to introduce steam into the receptacle, and cause it to pass through the conduits 10, this steam entering the lower extremity of the chamber 21, will act on the piston to move the same upwardly against the spring 23, until the perforation or port 33 is uncovered, in which event, the steam passes into the chamber of the receptacle 5 and thence through the conduits 10 and escapes at the discharge extremities of the said conduits which are thereby kept clear for sanding purposes, when required.

Threaded into the lower extremity of the receptacle 5 which is provided with a threaded opening 34 for the purpose, is a drain pipe 35. This pipe is in communication with a cavity 36 which in turn, communicates with the bottom of the chamber 21 by a small port 37, normally closed by a valve 38 actuated by a spring 39, surrounding the valve stem 40 which passes through the central perforation of a spider 41 located at the bottom of the cavity 36 and in contact with the upper extremity of the pipe 34. This valve, within the cavity 36 is provided with a disk 42, which engages the shoulder at the top of the cavity, surrounding the port 37. The upper extremity of the valve 38 when in the closed position, extends slightly into the bottom of the chamber 21 and the piston 22 is provided with a short projection 44 at its lower extremity which acts upon the upper extremity of the valve 37 to depress the latter, and maintain it in the open position when the piston is at the lower extremity of the chamber 21 or in its normal position. By virtue of this arrangement, any moisture that may accumulate in the chamber 21 due to steam condensation, is allowed to escape through the drain pipe 35.

From the foregoing description, the use and operation of my present improvement actuating spring 23, and uncovers the porty 33, allowing the steam to enter the chamber of the receptacle 5 and pass through the conduits 10, whereby their discharge eX- tremities' are kept open as heretofore eX- plained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a track sander for locomotives, the

combination with a source of sand, a receptacle in communication therewith, and a conduit leading from the receptacle to the track, of a member located within the receptacle and rigidly connected therewith, the said member having a cavity, a piston therein, a valve connected with the piston and adapted to cut o communication between the source of sand supply and the receptacle, a spring for normally holding the valve open, and means for introducing steam to the said cavity on the opposite side of the piston from the spring, whereby the piston is actuated to close the valve, the cavity being in communication with the receptacle by a port which is uncovered by the valveclosing movement of the piston to allow the steam to enter the receptacle.

2. The combination with a sand distributing receptacle having an inlet opening and an outlet conduit, of. a valve arranged within the said receptaclev and movable to close said opening, but normally spring-retained in the open position, a chamber, a piston therein connected with the valve, and means for introducing fluid to the chamber on the opposite side of the piston from the spring, to actuate the piston to close the valve, and a port forming a communication between the said chamber and receptacle, the port being uncovered by the fluid-actuated movement of the piston to allow the fluid to enter the receptacle and pass through the said distributing conduit. K

3. The combination with a sand distributing receptacle, having an inlet opening, a valve movable to close said opening, a spring for normally-retaining the valve in the open position, a chamber, a piston therein connected in operative relation with the valve, and means for introducing fluid to the chamber under pressure to actuate the piston and close the valve against the action of its spring, the chamber being in communication with the receptacle by a port which is uncovered by the valve-closing movement of the piston to allow the fluid to enter the receptacle.

Ll.' The combination with a sand distributing receptacle, having an inlet opening, of a chamber located within the receptacle, a piston therein, a valve within the receptacle and movable to close the inlet opening, a spring for normally retaining the valve in the open position, the piston being connected in operative relation with the valve, means for introducing fluid to said chamber to actuate the piston against its spring to close the valve, the chamber having a port leading to the receptacle which is uncovered by the valve-closing movement of the piston to allow the fluid to enter the receptacle, and a sand distributing conduit leading from the receptacle, and through which the said fluid passes.

5. The combination with a sand distributing receptacle having an inlet opening, said receptacle, mounted upon the locomotive, and a conduit leading therefrom to the track, of a valve within the receptacle, and movable to close the inlet, a chamber within the receptacle, and in communication therewith by a port, a fluid inlet to the chamber, a piston normally spring-held between the fluid inlet and the said port, an operative connection between the piston and the valve, and means for introducing fluid through the said fluid inlet to the chamber under sulficient pressure to actuate the piston and uncover said port.

6. The combination with a sand distributing receptacle, mounted on the locomotive, provided with an outlet conduit leading to the track, and having a sand inlet, of a chamber located in the receptacle, a port leading from the chamber to the receptacle, a fluid inlet, a piston in the chamber normally spring-held in a position between the said port, and the fluid inlet, the piston having a stem extending beyond the chamber and equipped with a valve adapted to close the inlet to the receptacle, a spring acting on the piston to normally hold the valve in the open position, the bottom of the chamber having a drain port, a valve, normally spring-held in position to close the port, the said valve extending into the chamber and held open by the piston when the latter is in its normal position, and means for introducing fluid through the fluid inlet to the chamber under sufficient pressure to actuate the piston, for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a sand distributing receptacle, having a sand inlet, of a valve located within the receptacle, and movable to close the said inlet, a chamber within the receptacle, a piston within the said chamber, a stem connecting the piston with the valve, a spring acting on the piston to hold the valve open, a Huid inlet at the bottom of the chamber, a port in the Wall piston When the latter is in its normal posiof the chamber leading from the chamber tion, to maintain the last named port open. i0 to the receptacle, whereby the chamber and In testimony whereof I afx my signature receptacle are in communication, the normal in presence of two witnesses.

5 position of the piston being between the RICHARD KETT.

port and the uid inlet, the bottom of the Witnesses: chamber having a valve controlled port, the A. J. OBRIEN, valve being arranged to be acted on by the A. EBERT OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

